Page 23 of Siren's Gift

By the time I got back to D.C., the sun had set. I hated driving in the dark, but thankfully, rush hour had mostly died down. Street lamps and headlights lit the roads well enough to see as I navigated the less busy roads back to Calvin’s.

I pulled into the carport, surprised by how many cars lined the street. Seeing people heading for his front door, I drew my eyebrows together in confusion.

And then it hit me.

Crab cakes! Tonight was Marissa’s party for her twenty-first birthday. I’d completely forgotten about it thanks to all the upheaval with the talismans.

Despite everything, I smiled, content knowing she’d get to celebrate exactly as she wanted to. No more worrying about faulty talismans and having to wear jackets in warmer weather. After tonight, she’d never have to wear either again if she didn’t want to.

Sighing, I turned the car off and double-checked that the vial Calypso had given me was still sealed tight before slipping it into my pocket. "You’ll need to get in the bag again, Fin."

The axolotl rolled in the water to wet his scales before clambering out of the bowl and into the duffel. Already, I missed hearing his little voice.

The house Calvin rented in Tenleytown was small and cheaply built, which meant the music boomed just as loud outside as inside. I’d worry about the neighbors complaining, except most of them were college kids living similar lives. Besides, I wouldn’t be surprised to find most of them inside celebrating with Marissa already.

Preferring books and quiet nights, I was the odd fish out once again. No complaints on my end—or at least, there shouldn’t have been. This was exactly the kind of scene I wouldn’t miss. Loud music, small talk, waking up to an absolute mess.

But the realization hit like a wave crashing over me. After tonight, there wouldn’t be books or quiet nights. No more escapes into my favorite stories, no safety of my room to shut out the world. Whatever awaited me in the sea witch’s lair, it wouldn’t include the minor comforts I’d taken for granted.

I opened the door and winced as the music and bright lights practically smacked into me. My senses were on overload after the peacefulness of the ocean.

My chest tightened as the surrounding noise grew sharper, every laugh and cheer a reminder that this world was slipping through my fingers. I swallowed hard, forcing down the ache. I couldn’t afford to fall apart now.

"Bree!" my sister’s voice squealed among the throng of bodies crammed into the living room before she plowed her way through. She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. The distinct reek of alcohol on her breath made me scrunch up my nose. "I thought you forgot."

"Like you would ever let me forget." I laughed as I extracted myself from her arms. "I’ll be right back, then I’m making your next drink."

She grinned and turned to the closest group, instantly joining the conversation with her usual exuberance. She could get along with anyone, and I loved that about her. Some people lived for the spotlight, and I was happy to stay out of it.

I headed for Marissa’s room, where we kept Finley’s aquarium. Calvin had performed a spell that hid the tank from everyone but the three of us. I owed that wizard a fortune by now.

After locking the door behind me, I gently lifted Finley from the bag and placed him in the water. Immediately, he tried to scramble out, and I had to hold him back to keep him from falling. Drops of water splashed onto the table.

"No, buddy, you can’t come with me this time. For real." Deep sadness threatened to spill from my eyes. "Calypso is far too dangerous and cunning. I don’t know what I signed up for, but it didn’t include you."

Clinging to the tank’s edge, he blinked at me with wide, sorrowful eyes. A tear slipped down my cheek.

"I’m going to miss you, too. But I need you to look after Marissa for me, okay?" I sniffled and ran a finger down his slick head. He leaned into the touch. "You guys will have each other, and that makes me happier than anything."

He chirped before sinking into the water. Blinking slowly, he gave a great big yawn that released a stream of bubbles. All that swimming had worn the little guy out, even after spending most of the journey in my satchel. It was a good thing too, because I was sure he’d keep trying to come with me if he could hold his eyes open long enough.

Before leaving, I tugged a strand of hair free from Marissa’s brush. My fingers hesitated over the potion’s cork. Could I trust anything that the sea witch said? For all I knew, this could turn my sister into a toad instead of a siren. Or worse, leave her stuck halfway between shapes. The thought twisted my stomach.

But what choice did I have? Calypso’s terms had been clear, and if I didn’t try, Marissa would never be free. Besides, the contract had some serious consequences for the witch if she failed to meet her end of the bargain. Maybe I was being naïve, but I trusted the witch in this. I had to.

I uncorked the potion and added the hair. The liquid fizzed and bubbled, rising almost to the lip of the vial before settling. The strand had dissolved. It was ready. Hopefully.

Last but not least, I grabbed the notebook and pen Marissa kept by her bed and flipped to a blank page. My note was brief but explained the basics as vaguely as possible, just in case someone stumbled in looking for the bathroom.

But after having that thought, I ripped the page out and tucked it under her pillow as an extra precaution. She was a stomach sleeper, so it shouldn’t take her long to find it.

I blew Finley a kiss and left the room before I could break down sobbing or chicken out. I took a deep breath and wiped any traces of tears from my face, then rejoined the party.

Smiling at the few people I knew from Marissa’s school and next door, I zigzagged my way into the kitchen and poured the fruity concoction someone had brought over into an empty cup. When I was sure no one was looking, I quickly added the potion and swirled the contents.

I couldn’t trust the sea witch fully, but I knew deep down that this potion was legit. Calypso dealt in half-truths. There would be no reason for her to lie about this—she’d gotten exactly what she wanted.

I found Marissa with some of her friends and handed her the drink. "Okay, birthday girl, drink up."

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